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Submitted to: Materials Science and Engineering A
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 1/19/2008 Publication Date: 4/1/2008 Citation: Liu, Z., Erhan, S.Z. 2008. "Green" composites and nanocomposites from soybean oil. Materials Science and Engineering A. 483-484(1-2c):708-711. Interpretive Summary: The importance of materials from renewable resources for variety of industrial applications becomes very clear with increasing social emphasis on the issues of environment, waste disposal and depleting non-renewable resources. Natural oils are expected to be inexpensive renewable resources. Development of new industrial products from soybean oil is highly desirable. The purpose of this work is to investigate the preparation, characterization and mechanical properties of soy based composites and nanocomposites. The results show the soy-based materials with relatively strong mechanical properties. These materials may show promise as an alternative to petrochemical polymeric materials. Technical Abstract: In this study, we report preparation of epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) based "green" composites and nanocomposites. The high strength and stiffness composites and nanocomposites are formed through flax fiber and organoclay reinforcement. The epoxy resin, 1,1,1-tris(p-hydroxyphenyl)ethane triglycidyl ether (THPE-GE) is used as co-matrix for flax fiber reinforced composites. For the clay reinforced nanocomposites, the dispersion of the clay layers are investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD and TEM data reveal the intercalated structure of ESO/clay nanocomposites has been developed. Mechanical properties of both materials are investigated. Curing agent, triethylenetetramine (TETA) is used for both systems. |
